Sanchi Stupa

The Great Sanchi Stupa, is a big dome structure commissioned by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BC hosting relics of Buddha. There are two other stupas, all built atop a hill by later dynasties like the Sungas and Satvahanas. The egg-shaped dome is the anda on top of which there is a cubical relic chamber called the harmika. The anda is built on a circular terrace called the medhi. This UNESCO World Heritage site, boasting unparalleled artistry stands as a testament to India's cultural legacy, gracing even the ₹200 note.

In 1818, an English officer named Taylor stumbled upon a mysterious hill near Sanchi during a casual hunting expedition. It was the Sanchi stupa with a huge dome with intricate carvings. Meticulous excavations revealed a Buddhist complex with Monasteries, smaller stupas, and ornate gateways. Other British servants and archaeology enthusiasts like Alexander Cunningham and Sir John Marshall deciphered the script on the art and architecture and the site shot into fame. Discovery of Sanchi vastly transformed understanding of early Buddhism.

The Great Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest structures in India that was commissioned by emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BC. In 1989 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stupas are burial mounds dating back to the Vedic period in which relics and ashes of the dead were kept. However, it was the Buddhists who popularised it. Under Ashoka, the art of stupas reached its climax with around 84,000 stupas being erected.

Although a Vedic tradition, stupas were popularised by the Buddhists. After the death of Buddha, nine stupas were erected. Eight of them had the relics of Buddha at their medhi while the ninth had the pot in which the relics were originally kept. While the Great Stupa (Stupa 1) was built by the Mauryan ruler Ashoka, other smallers stupas were built in the vicinity and decorations were added by Shunga and Satvahana rulers.

• It is a large Single dome structure located on a hill top
• Brick & Plaster: The core of the stupa is made of unburnt brick while the outer surface was made by using burnt bricks, which were then covered with a thick layer of plaster.
• Chatras: it is the disks or umbrella like structure at the stop as a mark of royalty and protection.
• Harmika: It is the balcony on top the anda which signifies the adobe of the gods.
• Anda: It is the hemispherical dome.
• Medhi: Here the relics and ashes are stored. It is the base of the Stupa marking the terrace. It is believed that Stupa 1 (or the Greaet Stupa) has relics of the Buddha, Stupa 2 has relics of the ten famous arhats and Stupa 3 has relics of Sariputta and Mahamougalayana.
• Paradakshinapatha: An upper and lower circumambulatory path. Devotees walk around the patha or passageway as a token of worship
• Toranas: four gates pointing in each direction. Each consists of two vertical pillars and three horizontal bars. Decorated with wooden sculptures depicting events from the life of Buddha and Jatakas. East gate points towards Lumbini (birth) , North gate towards Kushinagar (mahaparinirvana), West gate to Sarnath (dharmachakaraparivartan) and South gate to Bodhgaya (nirvana).These are the four important places in the lifetime of Buddha.
• Vedica: enclosures or railings around sacred monuments.
• Sculptures: Depiction of posture is naturalistic and there is~in the body.
  • Gajalakshmi: A woman surrounded by loutses and elephants.
  • Shalabhanjika: woman at the gate whose touch causes the trees to bear fruits and flowers.
  • Ashokan Lion Capital Pillar inscription: on the southern Side showing the central position
• Motifs: Symbols continued to be used representing the Buddha, as opposed to his direct image. Historical narratives such as the siege of Kushinara, Buddha’s visit to Kapilavastu, visit of Ashoka to the Ramgrama Stupa are carved. It does not have any mural paintings. Some Kharosthi script is found here indicating that workers from as far as Gandhar worked on this.
  • Aniconism: Buddha’s depictions are not direct, but symbolic like in the Miracle of Buddha craving, he is represented by the water path. His presence is only signified and never directly depicted in early Buddhist tradition.

The Sanchi Stupa built by Emperor Ashoka is one of the most well preserved Buddhist monuments of India. It is a testament to India's enduring artistic and spiritual brilliance. It is now depicted on the back of the ₹200 Indian currency note, serving as a timeless reminder of the nation's cultural legacy. Its antiquity and greatness is evident from the fact that these are called the oldest extensive stupa decorations in existence.